AUDITIONS

The Farnsworth Invention
By Aaron Sorkin
Directed by Scott Spence

The turning point for the 20th century wasn't on Television. It was Television.

Auditions: Monday, November 10 and Tuesday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Beck Center.

Performances: March 13 through April 12, 2009

Rehearsals: Begin early February 2009

About the play:
Aaron Sorkin's (B'Way's "A Few Good Men" and TV's "West Wing" and "Sports Night") newest play details in semi-documentary fashion perhaps the 20th Century's most famous and infamous invention.... television. He theatrically pits inventor, Philo Farnsworth and media mogul, David Sarnoff in a rollercoaster blend of reality and fiction---encompassed by fascinating information every step of the way as we journey back to the 1920's and 1930's to witness the birth of TV. 19 actors play over 150 parts as this captivating drama plays out in front of our eyes.

Roles: Director Scott Spence seeks a versatile cast, many of which double and triple. The Farnsworth Invention is populated by over 100 characters played by 13 men, 4 women and 2 boys. The adult actors range from 20 years of age to 60ish. The two boys should be in the 10 to 13 range---voices yet to change. ALL ROLES ARE OPEN! There will be 2 or 3 AEA contracts offered. All actors 18 and over are compensated.

Preparation: Please arrive shortly before 7:00 p.m. to fill out some minor paperwork. Bring headshots and resumes if available. Monologues are not required but are helpful. Please indicate upon signing in if you have a monologue prepared. Monologues should be 45 to 60 seconds ideally. NO monologues over 90 seconds please! All actors auditioning each day will be part of cold readings. Callbacks will be determined once initial auditions are completed. Please bring a full account of ALL conflicts between February 1 and March 13.

Perusal scripts will be available for reading AT BECK ONLY beginning Tuesday, October 21 at the box office during regular hours.

If you have further questions, email or call Scott Spence at grumio85@aol.com or call Scott at 216-521-2540 x15.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
By August Wilson
Directed by Sarah May

Beck Center is proud to honor the legacy of one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th Century, August Wilson by producing his first Broadway hit play (1984) on the Mackey Main Stage this season.

Sarah May will direct this memorable "play with music" set in a Chicago recording studio in 1927.   Mr. Wilson's early masterpiece deals with racism in the music industry as a metaphor for the hopes, frustrations and shattered dreams of the African American community of the 1920's. The script overflows with blues music, robust humor, storytelling, camaraderie, competition, and ultimately anger and violence erupt. This is an ensemble piece for a dedicated and mature cast.

Auditions: Monday, October 27 and Tuesday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Beck Center (no appointment needed)
Performances:  January 30 through February 22, 2009 (4 weekends....Fri/Sat/Sun only)

Rehearsals: Begin mid-December and resume after New Year's Day

Auditions are open to Equity and Non-Equity actors. All roles are open.  Actors will be asked to read from the script; a monologue is suggested (but not required) for actors not known to the director. For more information call Sarah May at 216-231-8488. All non AEA actors over 18 will receive a stipend.

The African American Roles:
Ma Rainey: 40's+, Must sing the Blues. Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (1886-1939) was a legendary blues singer and recording artist at the height of her career in 1927.  Larger than life, temperamental, controlling and pragmatic about the games she  must play. Please prepare to sing a blues song a cappella.

The Band:

These 4 roles are traditionally played by experienced actors who mime  their playing to recorded music. Some musical ability is helpful!  The first 3 are  40's-50's.
Cutler:  Trombone & guitar, the leader of the band, mature, Ma's confidant. 
Slow Drag: Upright Bass, also sings, older, a storyteller, wry, often somber.
Toledo: Piano, the elder, the wise, self-educated philosopher & nationalist.
Levee: Trumpet/Cornet, 20'-35, a young hot shot, an upstart, eager and ambitious.

Dussie Mae: 

Ma's "girl", 20's, young, pretty and flirty, an opportunist.

Sylvester: Ma's young nephew, 20's, eager, nervous, starry-eyed, a stutterer.

Roles for White Actors:
Sturdyvant: white, mature, runs the recording studio, a business man, 40's-60's
Irvin:  Ma's white manager, harried, patronizing but caring. 35-55
Policeman: Young white city cop, 25-35, probably Irish American, serious

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